Machine for finishing curved stereotype printing-plates.



C. E. HOPKINS.

1,200,614. Patented Oct. 10,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

dizafiled 0. E. HOPKINS. MACHINE FOR FINISHING CURVED STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-Z8, 1912 l QQQfi 1 Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

di/m SWWHQM I C. E. HOPKINS MACHINE FOR FlNISHlNG CURVED STEREOTYPE PRJNTING PLATES.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 28, I912.

l 200, 6 1 4: Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. E. HOPKINS.

MACHINE FOR FINISHING CURVED STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATES. APPLICATION FILED SEPTJB, I912.

1 200,6 1 4 Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- MMW WW CHARLES E. HOPKINS, OF TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR FINISHING CURVED STEREOTYPE PRINTING-PLATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

Application filed September 28, 1912. Serial No. 722,858.

' ing is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for finishing curved stereotype printing plates which ,are cast with a riser on one of the straight edges thereof and fed to the finishing machine with the convex side down and preferably horizontally.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a construction in which the guides for supporting the plate are stationary; to provide plate guides ,or supports, one of which cooperates with a lateral riser; to provide means for carrying the shaved plate from beneath the arch and along the plate supports while the riser portion of the plate is being separated from the type face portion; to provide a practicable means for shaving the plate before the riser is separated from it; and to provide other improvements in the arrangement of parts and details of construction as will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2

is a side view thereof; Fig 3 is a sectional I view on the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking at the machine from the entrance end, the plates being shown clamped. in position; Fig. 4. is a view of the opposite end with the plate unclamped; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the riser support and a part of the ejecting mechanism, and Fig. 6 is a plan of a part of the inclined ejecting mechanism.

The machine is shown in a form in which the mechanism is supported between side frames 10 and 11 which are united by three cross pieces 12, 13 and 14. The casting mechanism (which is not shown herein in detail, as it forms the subject matter of my application for patent filed on the 28th day of September, 1912, Serial No. 722857) is intended to be supported by the cross pieces 12 and 13 in such a way as to cast a curved plate and to deliver it in horizontal position with its convex side up on a pair of guides 15 and 16.,

the arch.

The plate P is cast in the usual form, so far as the plate itself is concerned, but it is provided with a riser R on one of the straight edges of the plate projecting almost tangentially therefrom, which riser is provided with a horizontal reverse rib r on the outer side of the riser and at a distance from the edge of the plate, and with a second projection r on the inner side of the riser adjacent to the edge of the plate. The rib 7" is used in delivering the plate from the casting mechanism on the guides above mentioned. The guide 16 is movable and arranged to engage under the rib 1' to hold that side of the plate in position ready to enter the finishing mechanism.

Although the guide 16 is movable, the movement thereof is a feature which cooperates with the casting mechanism and not with the finishing mechanism, and after the plate is delivered on this guide it does not move until the plate leaves it. For the purpose of this application therefore this guide might be stationary. The other guide 15 is shown as stationary. These guides are in position to guide the plate on guides 17 and 18 in the finishing mechanism proper, these two guides being located at opposite sides under an arch 19. The guide-way 17 is supported by brackets 20, while the guideway 18 is supported by the cross pieces 13 and 14; the former extends beyond the arch for the purpose of supporting the edge of the plate after it has been operated upon in Another guide 21 is shown at the end of the guide 18 but separated from it to support that side of the plate after it leaves-the arch. The guide 18 is inclined and its upper edge engages under the rib r on the riser and supports that edge of the plate in that manner, the riser projecting down from the edge of the plate.

For the purpose of avoiding the manipulation of the guides 17 and 18 and yet permitting the plate to be properly clamped in the shaving arch, the latter is made movable and is shown as pivoted on a longitudinal axle 23 at one side of the arch. On the other side is a longitudinal shaft 25 having a handle 26 for operating it. To the end of this shaft is fixed an eccentric 27 which is supported at the other end by a stud 24. It operates a rod 28 to raise and lower the movable side of the arch.

For the purpose of operating the finishing mechanism the following mechanism is shown. In bearings on the cross piece 14 is mounted a transverse driving shaft 30 kept in constant operation by a belt connection on a driving pulley 31, or any other suitable means. Mounted loosely thereon and located about the center of the driving shaft is a worm 32 which meshes with a worm gear 33 fast on the end of a shaving knife shaft 34. On this shaft 34 is the shaving knife 35 which is designed to shave out the interior of the plate at a single opera tion.

One end of the worm 32 is provided with a clutch jaw 37. Also on the shaft and facing the worm clutch jaw is a co-acting clutch jaw 38. This co-acting jaw is made to rotate with the driving shaft through a loose key and is arranged so that it can be moved longitudinally into and out of engagement with the worm clutch jaw 37. It is normally held out of engagement with this jaw by a trip mechanism which will be described hereinafter, but when released by the trip mechanism a spring 39 on the driving shaft forces it into engagement with the worm jaw to start the worm to revolving with the driving shaft. This causes the shaving knife to revolve as will be obvious.

As the knife shaft is required to make only one revolution to perform a complete operation, the trip mechanism is designed to throw the clutch out of operation at the end of each revolution of the knife shaft, and hold it thus until it is time for the next shaving operation to be started. For this purpose the trip mechanism is shown as comprising a shaft 40 to one end of which is fast an upright extending arm 42. The arm 42 is connected with the sliding clutch jaw 38 through a stud 43 fast on the arm 42 and operating in a groove 44 formed in the clutch. Above this stud and at the top end of the arm 42 is a pivoted horizontal rock trip 46. The right end in Fig. 4 is heavier than the left end of the lever 46 and a stop 49 is provided to hold the lever in horizontal position so that its right end is normally in the path of a rotating pin 47 fast on the face of the worm wheel. The opposite end of the horizontal trip lever 46 projects toward a spring actuated trip latch 48 pivoted on the end of the arch eccentric axle 24. When the machine is at rest the pin 47 is in a position to hold the lever 46 in its extreme left hand position to hold the clutch jaw 38 out of engagement with the clutch jaw 37, but when the operator lowers the arch to clamp the stereotype plate in shaving position the turning of the eccentric 27 causes the trip latch 48 to turn over in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 and engage on the top of the adjacent end of the rock trip arm 46. This causes that end of the trip arm to rock down about its pivot and raises the opposite end to force it from the pin 47. Instantly the spring 39 which has been held compressed by the previous position of the parts is free to force the clutch member 38 to the right and its constant rotation is immediately imparted to the worm 32 and the Worm wheel 33.

It is obvious that as the spring 39 forces the sliding clutch member 38 to the right it also necessarily moves the arm 42 in the same direction which action withdraws the end of the trip arm 46 from the path of the trip latch 48. This action allows the trip arm to turn back to its original horizontal position. Thus when the knife shaft has completed a single revolution the stop pin 47 will once more engage the end of the trip arm 46 and force it forward so that the clutch jaw 38 is positively moved out of engagement with the worm. It will be seen that the object of providing a spring plunger in the trip latch 48 is to allow the moving back of the trip arm 46 which normally is in alinement with this plunger;

An emergency stop is provided whereby the operator can at any stage of the opera tion stop the shaving mechanism by disengaging the clutch jaws. The means employed is a foot treadle 41 fast on the shaft 40 and in position handy for the operator.

On the shaft 30 is a helical gear 50 meshing with a similar gear 51 on a vertical shaft 52. On the top of this vertical shaft is a riser cutting saw 53 which by these connections is caused to rotate constantly independently of the shaving blade. The saw is located between the two guides 18 and 21 on a bracket 54 fast on the cross piece 14. This saw of course is so positioned as to be in the path of the plate and engage the same where the riser portion R joins the curved portion, the riser in this case extending from one of the straight edges of the curved plate.

While the plate is being moved from the arch past the saw, a lip extension 58 formed on the plate supporting guide 21 enters the saw cut and becomes the supporting means of that side of the plate instead of the top edge of the guide. However it will be understood that the riser although separated continues to cling to the top edge of the guide 21 on which the rib r rests, and will remain so suspended until the next plate is advanced from the arch where it will be pushed off in advance of the same, although it can be removed previously by the operator if desired.

The operation of the machine is very simple. The plate on the horizontal supports to which it was delivered from the casting mechanism is pushed by hand horizontally under the shaving arch on the guides 17 and 18. The operator then turns the operating handle 26, thus lowering the arch, and start- I ing'the shaving mechanism to operate. Th;

shaving mechanism automatically stops at the end of a complete revolution as previously explained, and the operator then releases the plate by raising the arch through the instrumentality of the handle 26. For the purpose of conveying the plate out from beneath the arch after it has been shaved into the path of the riser separating saw, a plate ejector is provided for acting in conjunction with the guide 18. In this guide is a long slot 60 having ways in which is positioned a slide piece 61 provided with a spring bar pusher 63. The pusher is made spring actuated to allow of the plate riser R passing over it as the operator pushes a stereotype plate into position beneath the arch, and thereafter springing out so as to be in position to engage the rear edge of the riser as the slide piece 61 is advanced. For the purpose of moving the slide piece 'a handle 65 is shown fixed to a rock arm 66 on which is a telescoping arm 67 pivotally connected with the slide piece. This forces the plate along the guides 17 and 21, allowing the saw to cut off the riser and leaving the plate still supported by the guides 17 and 21, and the riser supported by the guide 21.

It will be seen that with this combination a plate of this character can be shaved and trimmed with very little attention on the part of the operator and by exceedingly simple mechanism, and that the difliculties heretofore encountered with the employment of movable guides for the lower edges of the plate are entirely avoided.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but

lVhat I do claim is 1. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a shaving arch,

guideways for supporting a plate beneath the arch, and means for moving the arch so as to engage and hold the plate.

2. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a movable shaving arch, and means for moving the said arch to engage and disengage a plate supported beneath the same.

3. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a shaving arch, fixed plate supports and means for moving the shaving arch toward and away from the said supports.

4. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of. a frame, a curved shaving arch pivoted at one side of the frame, and means on the other side of the frame for swinging said arch about its pivot.

5. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a semi-cylindrical shaving arch pivoted along one of its sides, fixed guides under said arch for a curved stereotype printing plate, and means at the other side ofthe arch for swinging said arch about its pivot.

6. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a frame, a shaving arch pivoted at one side of the frame, an arm pivoted to the opposite side of the arch, an eccentric operating in said arm and means for turning the eccentric to move the arch.

7. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a movable shaving arch, a revolving shaving knife, plate supports extending along said arch, means for moving the arch toward and from the supports, and means for revolving the shaving knife.

8. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a frame having bearings, a horizontal shaving archopivoted at one side to the frame, a shaving knife shaft operating in said bearings, an arm pivoted to the ppposite side of the arch, and means for moving said arm to raise and lower the arch.

9. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a revolving shaving knife, a pivoted shaving arch, plate supports near each side of the arch, means for moving tine arch on its pivot so as to engage and disengage a plate resting on said supports, and means for revolving the shaving knife beneath said arch and plate.

10. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of fixed guides for the plate, an arch over the said guides, means for moving said arch to clamp a curved plate on the guides and for releasing it, means for first shaving out of the interior of the curved plate inthe arch, and means for thereafter sawing off the riser of the plate.

11. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of an arch for receiving a plate, means for engaging one edge of the plate to guide it, means for engaging a riser on the other edge of said plate, means for shaving out the interior of the plate, and means for thereafter cutting off the riser.

12. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of an arch for receiving a plate, means below said arch for engaging one edge of the plate to guide it, means below said arch for engaging the riser of the other edge of said plate, means for shaving out the interior of the plate, and means for thereafter cutting off the riser, the second means being arranged and adapted to support the riser both before and after it is cut off.

13. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of means for shaving out the interior of the plate, means for cutting a riser from one of the straight edges of the plate after the plate is shaved, and a guide for entering the slot formed in cutting off the riser to support that edge of the plate.

14. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of an arch adapted to receive a curved stereotype printing plate with a riser thereon at one of its straight edges, a guide for the opposite edge of the plate, a guide for the riser having means for engaging a horizontal rib at the base of the riser, means for shaving out the interior of the plate, and means for thereafter cutting off the riser while'so supported.

15. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a movable arch adapted to receive a curved stereotype printing plate with a riser thereon at one of its straight edges, a fixed guide for the opposite edge of the plate under the arch, and a guide for the riser under the arch having means fo engaging a horizontal rib at the base of the riser.

16. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a revolving shaving knife, a shaving arch supported.

above the knife, a horizontally disposed circular saw, means for revolving both knife and saw, and means for conveying a stereotype plate from beneath the arch to and by the saw.

17. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a shaving arch,

plate supports at each side of the arch, a revolving shaving knife axially alined with the arch, a circular cutter horizontally disposed at one side of the arch, a plate ejector, means for intermittently revolving the knife beneath the arch, means for revolving the circular cutter, and means for operating the ejector.

18. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a shaving arch,

plate supports beneath the arch, a revoluble shaving knife in the arch, a circular cutter at one side of the knife for separating the riser portion of a curved stereotype plate from the type portion, and means for supporting the riser during and after the separation.

19. In. a stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of stationary guides for a plate, an arch over said guides, means for lowering said arch to engage the plate on the guides and clamp it thereto, a shaving knife under the arch, and means operated by the lowering of the arch for connecting said shaving knife with a source of power,

clutch, a shaving arch, means for positioning a stereotype plate in the dome of the arch and thereafter closing the clutch, means for revolving the knife, and means for automatically disengaging the clutch as the knife completes one revolution.

21. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of an intermittently operated shaving knife, a shaft provided with a worm gear, a worm loose on said shaft meshing with said worm gear, a clutch on said shaft, a trip arm engaging with the clutch, a trip lever on said arm, a trip pin on the worm gear, and means for allowing the trip lever to move into and out of engagement with the said pin as and for the purpose described.

22. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a driving shaft having two clutch members thereon, one rotatable independently of the shaft and the other rotatable with the shaft but move able longitudinally thereon into and out of engagement with the first clutch member, a spring for normally holding the second clutch member in engagement with the first clutch member for transmitting the rotary motion of the shaft through the first clutch member, gearing connected with the first clutch member, a shaving knife shaft connected with said gearing, said gearing having a trip pin thereon, a lever in position to be engaged by said trip pin at the end of a complete revolution, means connected with said lever for positively moving the second clutch member into inoperative position, and hand operated means for swinging said lever out of position for engaging said pin,

whereby the spring will be free to move the second clutch member into operative position.

23. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, two clutch members, one rotatable independently of the shaft and the other rotatable with the shaft but movable into and out of engagement with the first clutch member, gearing connected with the first clutch member, a shaving knife shaft connected with said gearing, said gearing having a trip pin thereon, a pivoted lever in position to be engaged by said trip pin at the end of a complete revolution for positively moving the second clutch member into inoperative position, hand operated means for swinging said lever out of position for being engaged by said pin, and means for moving the second clutch member out of operative position independently of the trip lever.

24. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a power shaft, a shaving knife shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting the Shavingknife with the power shaft and disconnecting it therefrom comprising a movable member, a lever connected with the movable member of the clutch mechanism, means for operating said lever to throw out the clutch mechanism, a trip lever pivoted to the first named lever, and a stop pin connected with the shaving knife shaft for operating said lever to throw out the clutch mechanism automatically at the end of a complete revolution of the shaving knife shaft.

25. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a power shaft, a shaving knife shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting the shaving knife shaft with the power shaft and disconnecting it therefrom comprising a movable member, a lever connected with the movable member of the clutch mechanism, means for operating said lever to throw out the clutch mechanism, a trip lever, a pin connected with the said knife shaft for operating said trip lever to throw out the clutch mechanism automatically at the end of a complete revolution of the shaving knife shaft, and means for positively holding said trip lever in the path of said pin.

26. In a curved stereotype plate finishing machine, the combination of a power shaft, a shaving knife shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting the shaving knife shaft with the power shaft and disconnecting it therefrom, a lever connected with the clutch mechanism, means for operating said lever to throw out the clutch mechanism, a trip lever pivoted to the first named lever, a stop pin connected with the shaving knife shaft for operating said lever to throw out the clutch mechanism automatically at the end of a complete revolution of the shaving knife shaft, a rotary spring latch adapted to engage said trip lever and throw it out of position of engagement with the stop pin, whereby the clutch mechanism is free to close, and means for closing the clutch mechanism.

27. A stereotype plate finishing machine comprising means for supporting a plate and a movable arch for engaging and holding a plate while on the supporting means.

28. A stereotype plate finishing machine comprising stationary means for supporting a plate and an arch movable toward and from said supporting means.

29. A stereotype plate finishing machine comprising means for supporting a plate and an arch pivotally movable thereover.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS. Witnesses:

ALBERT E. FAY, C. FORREST WEssoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. i 

